Native Habitat:
Open forests, meadows, and riparian zones.
 
Bloom Time:
March – May (catkins)
 
Growth Habit & Mature Size:
Deciduous tree, 40–80 feet tall, with smooth, pale bark and rounded leaves that tremble in the wind. Forms clonal groves through root suckering, creating large interconnected stands.
 
Light & Soil Requirements:
Full sun; thrives in well-drained loam, sandy, or gravelly soils. Tolerates moderate moisture fluctuations but prefers consistently moist sites.
 
Willamette Valley Native Companion Plants:
Cornus sericea, Salix spp., Achillea millefolium, Camassia quamash, Festuca idahoensis.
 
Urban Garden Function:
Provides striking seasonal foliage, visual texture, and habitat value in urban parks, riparian plantings, and naturalized landscapes. Works well for grove plantings, layered native gardens, and erosion control on slopes.
 
Wildlife Supported:
Leaves are browsed by deer and elk. Seeds and catkins feed birds and small mammals. Dense stands offer nesting and shelter for birds, insects, and other wildlife.
 
Historical Use:
Used by Indigenous peoples for basketry, tools, and medicine. Valued ornamentally for its distinctive trembling foliage, rapid growth, and ecological benefits in restoration and wildlife gardens.